Gay Marriage Decision Draws Ire and Praise from Locals

By
Emily Cassulo
By
ecassulo@wbbjtv.com

BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. - West Tennesseans are speaking out about Wednesday's Supreme Court rulings on same-sex marriage, including the governor.

Governor Bill Haslam said right now he is not sure what the decisions mean for Tennessee.

"I think right now, I think Tennessee has a pretty strong tendency toward traditional marriage, and I don't see that changing anytime soon," Haslam said. "You know, it's hard to say what might happen 50 years from now."

Wednesday's Supreme Court decision has Americans divided, including those here in West Tennessee.

"I'm not for it, because I'm not into whatever they call it, but to each his own," said resident Clinton Thomas. "I think we need to make ourselves happy."

"I'm really against it because I believe what the Bible says," said resident Mary Ann Shaw. "Marriage is a religious institution, and I just don't think it's right."

Veteran Lance Robinson said our troops are fighting for all Americans' freedoms, including same-sex couples.

"We are not to judge, lest we be judged," Robinson said. "Our American citizens need rights and benefits, and we need to be facing them equally on the same level playing field."

Tommy Schlindwein, with the Tennessee Equality Project, released a statement after the rulings: "Today is great day for all Americans. There is now equal justice under the law for all loving and married couples. We still have a long way to go for full equality, but the people of America and here in Tennessee can be proud that today the Supreme Court is on the right side of history."